§ 24. Mr. AMMONasked the Home Secretary whether any circulars have been sent by the Home Office to magistrates or Judges of Assize giving recommendations as to the nature of the punishments to be inflicted in various cases; and, if so, whether he will have copies of such recommendations made available for Members in the Library?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI do not know of any recent Home Office circular such as the hon. Member appears to have in mind, but I am sending him the printed collection of all important circulars to justices.
§ Mr. AMMONHas the hon. Member seen a statement in one of the monthly reviews, edited by a well-known Conservative editor, to the effect that instructions have been sent out to the county magistrates and Judges of Assize as to the 1576 degree of leniency and severity with regard to sentences in cases mostly of a political nature, and suggesting that he can name certain Judges as having received such instructions?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has been making a suggestion which I would not accept in a question on the Paper. He has been casting a very serious reflection on the Judges.
§ Mr. AMMONWith all respect, I do not understand that my question is at variance with your decision. I do not make any reflection on the Judges, but on the Home Office.
§ Mr. MACLEANIf true, is not this a case of the Home Office interfering with the Judges and magistrates?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Home Office has offered to show the circulars to the hon. Member.